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Burkina Faso setting breakneck pace

The temperature truly soared in Africa earlier this month, with
four rounds contested out a of a total of six in the second stage
of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. With
surprises, disappointments, revelations and joy colouring the 95
encounters played out, all the ingredients were present for a burst
of activity high on drama.
FIFA.com now looks back at some of the key moments
to arise in the first four matchdays in Groups 7 to 12.

The biggest surprise
Shocks were hardly thin on the ground in Groups 7
to 12, with Group 9 pacesetters Burkina Faso very much leading the
way. Along with Nigeria in Group 4, they are the only team still
boasting a perfect record and their winning run has all but
guaranteed them a berth in the third stage. Moumouni Dagano has
proved the key man for the Stallions so far, shooting his way to
the top of the African goalscoring charts with five goals.

Rwanda and Swaziland have turned more than a few heads as well,
with the former pushing Morocco hard in Group 8, where they trail
their prestigious rivals by a goal difference of just two. For
their part, Swaziland find themselves top of Group 11, which
contains only three sides following the withdrawal of Eritrea. The
Sihlangu even had a 2-1 victory over Germany 2006
participants Togo to celebrate.

In contrast, the big favourites have all been fairly
disappointing. Côte d'Ivoire have lost precious points in Group
7, for example, due to a goalless draw with Madagascar and a 1-1
stalemate with Botswana, while Mali and Congo have both paid for
their inconsistency in Group 10. Meanwhile, African champions Egypt
have been playing second fiddle in Group 12 to Congo DR, and all
will have to rediscover their best form to stave off disaster when
the last two games are played in September.

The Stade Olympique de Rades was absolutely packed to the
rafters for Tunisia's curtain-raiser, but the 15,000 spectators
present could not have been more dismayed at the final whistle.
Despite opening the scoring early on through Belaid, the Carthage
Eagles repeatedly found their attacks coming to nothing against the
well-organised
Burkinabe and at the other end, the 2004 African champions
proved incapable of protecting their lead. Brought on seven minutes
before the end, Yssouf Kone found the back of the net two minutes
later and then again another 120 seconds after that to set up a
famous win for the visitors.

The star player"Attacking players are what my team is built on,"
warned Congo DR coach Patrice Neveu before the action started, and
four games later his charges have proved him right. Of the
team's 13 goals, eight have been scored by strikers - with
Shabani Nonda grabbing four, Dieumerci Mbokani three and Tresor
Mputu one - while four have been struck by midfielders; three
courtesy of Zola Matumona and the other by Tshinayama Tshiolola.
Left-back Herita Ilunga fired in the remaining effort. Not content
with leading Group 12, the Leopards also boast the most prolific
attack on the continent.

In terms of players starting to make a name for themselves,
Burkina Faso marksman Yssouf Kone deserves a special mention.
Having played just ten minutes on the road to Germany 2006, the
Rosenborg man has so far buried three goals in 110 minutes, giving
him the best ratio in Africa.

Unforgettable moments• Moumouni Dagano's hat-trick in the third round of
matches, which helped the
Burkinabe to a 3-2 victory over Seychelles.

• The courageous 0-0 draw Madagascar managed to attain
against Côte d'Ivoire in their second outing, thanks in no
small part to goalkeeper Jean Raharison.

• Botswana's 2-1 win over Mozambique on 8 June, as things
stand the only away success in Group 7.

• The memorable 8-1 defeat inflicted by Malawi on Djibouti in
their opening game. It remains the biggest scoreline in the second
stage of qualifying.

• The fervour of the Stade Regional de Nyamirambo in Kigali,
where 12,000 fans helped Rwanda complete a 3-0 win over Mauritania
and a 3-1 triumph over Morocco.

• Mali's impressive display of attacking football against
a normally solid Congo team, resulting in a 4-2 victory for the
Eagles.